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When you finally bring home baby, you’re bound to spend every waking moment marveling at the beauty
of your brand new family member…or wondering why the heck he’s crying. The part you’ll want to
remember, though, is how he looked in his infancy, which is why memorializing your newborn’s first days
of life with a professional photography session is probably a good idea. You’ll certainly take plenty of pics
on your own, but a pro can lend you the knowledge, skill, and experience that make for truly exceptional
photos that you and your family will cherish forever. But before you show up at the studio, there are
a few things you’ll want to do in preparation to ensure that your photographer has the best chance to
elicit smiles and take some fantastic photos. Here are some guidelines to follow when you’re getting your
newborn ready for his photo session.
1. Choose outfits. You don’t want to show up to the session with nothing more than the onesie your
baby happens to be wearing. You should bring several wardrobe changes including everyday
outfits, special garments (such as a Christening gown, for example), fancy clothes, and perhaps
even costumes, depending on what you’re going for. And don’t forget to bring several color
options. You’ll have to pick backgrounds when you’re at the studio, and having different outfits to
choose from can ensure that you get the effect you want, whether it’s high contrast or something
more subdued.
2. Time it right. Timing is important when you need your newborn to behave. Unless you want tears
to mar your baby’s first photo shoot, you need to make sure you plan your session when it’s most
likely to fit in his schedule. After a nap or a feeding is probably ideal, depending on whether you
want him to be sleepy or alert for the photos. Either way he’s bound to be less fussy if he’s feeling
comfortable, so arrange to have the session during the time of day you feel he’ll be most receptive
to wardrobe changes, posing, and flash photography.
3. Consider poses. To be honest, it’s nearly impossible to pose a baby with any degree of success. If
your newborn is sleeping you may have more luck, but you should expect him to move around
quite a bit while the photographer tries to snap pics. What you should be aware of is that your
photographer almost certainly has ideas concerning setups, and you may not be comfortable with
all of them. For example, you might worry about the safety of your child when the photographer
wants to put him on a pedestal, in a basket, or some other popular pose. Remember that you are
in charge of the session, so don’t let the photographer steamroll you! If you’re not comfortable,
voice your concerns.
4. Bring pacifiers. In addition to bringing something for your baby to suck on between shots, you
might want to show up with a variety of items to keep your baby calm and happy. Props like toys
could be used to draw attention or elicit a smile for your snapshots, for one thing. But you might
also want to bring a bottle just in case he gets fussy.
5. Comparison shop. Whether you prefer a pro studio like Diego Molina Photography or a nearby
Sears Photo Studio is more your speed, you should take the time to comparison shop before you
select a photographer. Price is definitely a consideration, but it’s also important to find a service
that offers the setting, style, and flexibility you’re looking for.
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